23 July 2023
Thomas More College hosted the u16 KO Cup on Sunday, 23 July, in ideal conditions for the demands of, potentially, four games for each of the teams, provided they reached the final. At the end of the day, it was Westville who were left as the lone unbeaten side.
In the early going, the likeliest winners appeared to be one of Maritzburg College, DHS and Westville Boys’ High, but one of that trio of teams would miss out on the title-decider early in the competition. That’s because College, who escaped Port Shepstone High in the first round 5-4 from the penalty spot after sharing a 2-2 draw, and DHS, 1-0 winners over New Forest, met in the quarterfinals.
The two schools had done battle in the 2022 final, with College coming away with the title. However, it was DHS who snatched victory on this occasion, winning 1-0.
The boys from the KZN capital thought they had equalised in the second half, from a sweetly struck volley, but the referee ruled there had been pushing on a DHS defender before the shot was taken. The KZN Coastal second term Under-16 champions were out.
The hosts, Thomas More, had a thrilling win over Clifton College to reach the semi-finals. After the teams had completed regulation time level at 1-1, the match went to the penalty spot and the home team delighted their many fans with a heart-pounding 7-6 win in the shootout.
Westville impressed with their quick passing and movement, and they thumped Ashton Ballito 6-0 in their opener before defeating a game Kloof High team by a 4-2 margin.
Northwood, who had snuck by Kingsway in the first round after a marathon penalty shootout, which ended 11-10 in their favour, following a 1-1 draw, once again had to go to penalties against a well-drilled Newcastle High outfit. The teams shared a 2-2 draw, but Northwood took the honours from the spot, 4-2.
The semi-finals produced two clear-cut winners, with DHS overrunning Northwood 4-0, and Westville rolling to a 5-1 win over Thomas More. What was not clear-cut was which team had the edge going into the final.
(More match highlights on Pinnacle Schools – YouTube)
Finalists’ approach
On their way to the final, DHS, with their high pressure, high paced, approach had caused their opposition all sorts of problems, seldom allowing them to keep possession for long. Along with some skilful approach play, they presented a tough challenge.
Westville, meanwhile, played some of the most attractive football on show. Give ‘n go, quick passing, good movement, and confident play on the ball made for a winning recipe.
The question was which would triumph in the clash for the silverware?
DHS started off strongly, heaping pressure on Westville, but the Griffins were composed and kept the Horseflies at bay. Then, after creating some space in a midfield pocket, Thabiso Madlala, from 32 metres out, unleashed a rocket of a shot to give Westville a 1-0 lead, which they took into half-time.
In the second half, Curt Rogers doubled his side’s advantage with a beautifully struck free kick, also from long range. Then, with the title on the line, matters become testy, which required strong intervention from the referee.
After he had calmed down frayed tempers, DHS pushed everyone forward in search of a goal, but Westville stood firm. DHS, though, were awarded a penalty, but goalkeeper Mpilo Mnguni got down smartly to his right to keep Westville’s two-goal advantage intact. They maintained it to the final whistle.
Prize-giving
At the prize-giving, Chairperson of the KZN High Schools Football Association, Dan Haswell, thanked Thomas More College for a smoothly hosted event and praised the referees for their contribution after a long day out in the middle of the action.
Thabiso Madlala, the scorer of Westville’s opening goal, was named the Player of the Final, and received a hamper from Primo Sportswear in recognition of his excellence.
Then, it was time for the Griffins to celebrate a well-deserved KO Cup title.
It’s early in the season, but the event showed there is no shortage of talent in KwaZulu-Natal, and an exciting third term, packed with football, awaits lovers of the game.
Next weekend, the intensity ramps up when Hilton College hosts the Big 10 Football Tournament, with the 1st XIs of Michaelhouse, Hilton College, Saint Charles College, Maritzburg College, Kearsney College, Westville Boys’ High, Glenwood, Northwood, Clifton College and Durban High School in action on 29 and 30 July. It should be a cracker of an event.
RESULTS
First Round
Thomas More College 6-1 Crawford International North Coast College
Clifton College 4-1 Waterfall College
Westville Boys ‘ High 6-0 Ashton Ballito
Kloof High 6-1 Highway College
DHS 1-0 New Forest
Maritzburg College 2-2 (5-4) Port Shepstone High
Northwood 1-1 (11-10) Kingsway
Newcastle High 4-0 Hillcrest High
Quarterfinals
Thomas More College 1-1 (7-6) Clifton College
Westville Boys’ High 4-2 Kloof High
DHS 1-0 Maritzburg College
Northwood 2-2 (4-2) Newcastle High
Semi-finals
DHS 4-0 Northwood
Westville Boys’ High 5-1 Thomas More College
Final
Westville Boys’ High 2-0 DHS
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